Exhaust-silencer for engines.



H. P. MAXIM. EXHAUST SILENOER FOR ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1910. 7

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

Inventor.-

by wwvw W i I m ynnrinn rarni rr onrien.

. rnRcYiMAXna, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

nxnAusr-sinnnona non ENGINES:

I ToaZZ w Zzomitmay co r Be it known that 1, man PERCY AlAXIIl I,"E""en.o f th.e United States,res1d1ng in 7 I r l w invented certainnew-rand useful Improve ments inEXhaiist-"S lencers for Engines, of

which the following is a specification, referen'ce beinghad to theaccompanying drawn'igs, forminga part hereof.

.10; This. invention relates to the handling'of the exhaust of enginesin which the pressure 'dilierential between theflcylinder jarfd theatmosphere is so great that each-exhaustpuff or impulse produces anobjectionable noise, particularly as in internal combustion engines ofordinary type, and has for its .obj.ect to reduce the noise of-tlheexhaust and also to assistthe clearing out of the dead gases after eachexplosion, in internal} combustion engines; Various' devices for moldingthe exhaust of internal combustion. and other engines have beendevisedand are in use, but all of 'suchi:devices,so far as is.

the exhaust between the explosion im-.-

' pulseshas been lost sight of; altogether and it hasloeen' proposed touse only axial-flow turbines, which are incapable-of operating toaugment the exhaust between the impulses, so that such turbine mufilershereto l 40 fore produced, oiier at all times more or less resistanceand therefore create more or less back pressure. In accordance with thepresent invention, however, thesame device which operates to silence thenoise of explosion, operates also to augment thefexhaust between theexplosion impulses, the

energy which is storedup in the silencing device by. each impulse ofexplosion serving to operate the same device between theimpulses toaugment the exhaust." The pai ticular form of device whichis thuscapable of performing this double function, .not heretofore recognizedas desirable or even possible," is a radialflow turbine which isinterposed in the exhaust and, being Specification of Letters l atent.aapneationfiled November 28, 1910. Serial No. 594,490.

State :of' Connecticut, have tical form and in which independent of andunconnected with the" engine shaft. anddriven by the explosion impulses,continues to rotate between the impulses by the-kinetic energy storedtherein without regard to the speed of the en Patented Nov. 3, 1914..

gine and, through centrifugal action, maintains the forward-movement ofthe exhaust [The invention will bemore fully eX- plained hereinafter'with reference to the accompanying drawingsin" which it is illustratedas embodied in a convenient and prac Figure l is a viewin elevation,showing a portion ofan-internal combustion engine of 'an-' ordinary typeequipped with the invention. Fig. "2 is a detail view, partly inlongitudinal section, showing an approved construction of the silencingdevices. Fig. 3 1s a view in transverse section on the planeindicated bythe line 3-3 of Fig. 2., I In the drawingsthere is indicated at a somuch of an internal'combustion engine of ordinary form as-is necessaryto enable the invention to 'be understood. .At any con venientpoint,'but preferably. in reasonably close proximity to the enginecylinder or cylinders, there" is connected to the exhaust pipe 6, asilencer c which comprises, es'sentially, ,one or more radial flow"turbine wheelsd, unconnectedwitli the engine shaft and mountedto rotateindependentlythere- -of.. "The structure shown in the drawings has beendevised with special reference, to

economical manufacture, being made in sec '-tions which can be securedtogether readily in any desired number to suit the particular conditionsof use.- The silencingdeviceshown is composed of an inlet section 6, Q-

a discharge-section f, and three identical intermediate sections 9. =Theinlet -'sectione consists of a .fianged ring e and a head or cap 6 whichis suitably formed to be joined to the exhaust pipe I). The dischargesec tion f comprises a' plate -f. which may be a part of a castingfywhich supports the bearings for the sha t of the turbine. wheels'ashereinafter described,' the plate f." being formed with'afiange f towhich maybe securedtheplate 7 having a central open-. ing The chamberwhich is thus formed between the 'plate' 7 and the plate. f is'providedwith a'suitable outlet 7". Each of the gasesin the same. direction asthat-in which they move to rotate the turbine.

intermediate sections 9- comprises a plate or wall g which be transversewith respect to theshaft and have acentral open- .ing g 'and a flange 9All of these parts are so formed as to be capable of being se- 5 curedtogether readily as-indicated in the drawings. v v

' The standard f which supports the end plate f, is provided withsuitable bearings h, 71. in which is mounted a shaft hf which carriesthe radial-flow turbine wheel or l wheels (1,. d, (P. The first wheel dand the last wheel d if'two or more wheels are required, arepreferablyspecially. formed, as 1 shown, while the intermediate wheels (5 areformed alike. The first wheel dcomprises a 'fianged body or drum d .aweb d and blades (i whichare generally'radial in arrangement, althoughtheyare preferably curved somewhat as shown. A conical cap d,'secured.to the drum d directs. the incoming gases outward towardandbetween the blades (P. :The wheel-(Z is in general.

similarly formed, with a drum or body d and blades-(Z the plate dtbeinginthis case. provided with a webbed-hub d -,by which this wheel and theothers carried by it are mounted upon the shaft it; Each of theintermediate'wheels g likewise comprises a drum or body (Z a web orplate (i and 3c blades (Z The several wheels are so formed that they canbe bolted together "readily in any. required number. As will'be notedthe;

plate orweb d offeach wheel 'e'xcep tthe last preferably stands aboutmidway in the chamher in which it is located, and its outside diameteris less than that of'such chamber,

so that the'exhaust gaseswhich have passed V between the blades of eachwheel may then pass over the periphery of theweb orplate 4o d totheopening 9 of the next dividing wall g in proper relation to the blades dof the next turbinewheel. i A v 7 It has been stated above that theturbine .wheels are practically identical, but it will be understoodthat in aflixing the spirally "curved blades to each wheel, the bladesof each successive wheel preferably have a greater. pitch than those ofthe preceding wheel so that each wheelshall have the same rotativeeffect notwithstanding the reduction in the velocity of the exhaustgases atysucceeding wheels. I

It will now be understood that in the operation of the silencer theexhaust-gases,v passing between the blades or vanes ,of the:

turbine wheels, cause such wheels to rotate and as the wheels arecomparatively heavy; they acquire considerable momentum so-that theirrotation is continued at a high speed '60 between exhaust impulseswithout regard to the speed of the engine. The energy of the exhaustgases, at each impulse, is absorbed to a considerable degree in rotatingthe vwheels so that such gases eventually issue 'tion plate providedwith a. central opening,

or accelerates the exhaustion of the dead gases from the cylinder afterthe passage of the high pressure impulses It will be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise form and details of constructionshown in the drawings, but that the same may bechanged to suit diifersoout conditions of use; e I claim as my invention:

' 1. An exhaust silencer adapted for use withgas vengines. and so forthcomprising a cylindrical shell built up of units each comprising aflange and a substantially trans- ;verse partition plate provided with acentral opening-and forming aseries of chambers withinsaid shell, abuilt-upradial flow turbine cooperating with said casing and comprisinga series of units each comprising a central drum, an attached radial weband spiral turbine blades cooperating with'one of the'parti tionplatesin each of said chambers I and leav ng free the circumferential portion90 of said chamber in communicationthrough the-central opening'in the'opposite partition plate with the succeeding chamber, a connec 'tion, toadmit exhaust gasesto one end of said ,casing adjacent I the centralportion thereof and a conical cap in the-path of 'said' gases to spreadand direct them through the blades of the first turbine of said series.

2. An. exhaust" silencer adapted for I use with gas engines and so forthcomprising a cylindrical shell built up of units each com prising aflange and 'a' substantially transverse partition plate provided with acentral I .opening, and forming a. series of chambers within said shell,a built-up radial flow turbine cooperating with said casing andcomprising a series of units each comprising an attached radial web andspiral turbine blades cooperating with one of the partition platesineach of said chambers "and leaving free the circumferential portion ofsaid chamber in communication through the centralopening in the oppositepartition plate with'the succeeding .chamber, a connection to admitexhaust gases to one end of said casing.-

, 3. An exhaust silencer adapted for use with gas engines and so forthcomprising a shell built up of units each comprising a flange and asubstantially transverse partiand forming a series of chambers withinsaidshell, a bu1lt-up radial flow turbine cooperating with said caslngand comprising a .r tial portion. of "said chamber in communicaa seriesof units each comprising an -at tached radialweb and spiral turbineblades plate-with the succeeding chamber.

leaving free the circumferential portion of said chamberiincommunication through the central opening in the. opposite partition4.1km erghafush silencer adapted for use with gas engines and so forthcomprising a shell built up of units each comprising a- '-iia-nge-and apartitionpla'te provided with a central opening, and forming a series-ofchambers within said shell, a turbine co operating with said casing andcomprising 'with the succeeding chamber.

a series of units each comprising an at} tached radial wveband turbineblades leaving' free the'ci'rcumferential portionofsaid chamber incommunication through the cen tral opening inhthe 'oppositepartitio'nplate 5. An exhaust silenceradapted for use,

with'gas engines and so forth comprising a cylindrical shellcomprisingflanges and substantially transverse partition, plates each providedwith a central opening and said casing and comprising a central drum',

forming acseries of chambers Within said shell, a; radial flow turbinecodperating with attached radial webs and spiral, turbine blades'coiiperating with one of the partition platesin each of said chambers"and leaving free the circumferential portionof said chamber incommunication through the central-opening in the opposite plate-with thesucceeding chamber, a fconnectiontg adr-mit exhaust gases to one end ofsaid "casing adjacent the 'central portion thereof and a- A conical -capin the path of said gases to it spread and direct them through theblades of the first turbine-of said series.

6. An exhaust silencer adapted for use with gasenginesand so forthcomprising a cylindrical shell: comprising flangesand subpositepartition plate with .the succeeding chamber, a connection to admitexhaust withgasengines and so'forth comprising a.

"stantially transverse partition plates each provided with -a centralopening and form- 'ing aseriesof chambers within said shell, a

I radial :flow turbine cooperating with said I'casing andcomprisingattached'radial webs "YIAnFexhaust silencer adapted for shellcomprising flanges and substantially j transverse ipartition plates eachprovided v ries of chambers. --within said shell, a radial with acentral opening and forming a seflow turbine cooperating with saidcasii'i leaving free the circumferential portion ofcentral opening inthe opposite partition plate with the succeeding chamber.

-8.JA1i'eXhaust silencer adapted for use with gas engines and so forthcomprising 'a shell, comp-rising partition plates each provided Withacentral-opening and forming ase'ries of chambers within said shell, aturbine cooperating with said casing to be substantiallycoaxial withsaid openings and comprising turbine blades and leaving free a portionofsome of said chambers in commun1cat1on'through the central opening inthe opposite partition plate with the suc ceeding chamber.

9. Anexhaust silencer adapted for use with gas engines and-so forthcomprising a shell comprising substantially transverse partition plateseach provided with a central opening and forming a series of cham= berswithin said shell a radial flowturbine coijperating with said casing andcompris mg spiral turbine blades and leaving free the circumferentialportion of each of said chambers in communication through the centralopening in the opposite partition plate with the succeeding chamber,said blades having an increasingly greater pitch in-the successivechambers through which the exhaust passes. I I Q10. exhaust silenceradapted for use with'gas engines and so forth comprising a cylindricalshell provided with substantially transverse partition plates providedwith central: openings-to form a series of-cham- 'ber s in said shell, arotating drum'mounted and then rad-ialllv inward on the other sidewithin said shell and having webs extendf l ing ,withineach of saidchambers and leav- "ing free the circurnferential portions of said 1chambers to direct the exhaust material outward't-hrough each chamberaround the web to the succeeding chamber "and a series of j I spiralcurvedi vanes on jeach. of saidi'webs 1 forming narrow spiral, channelsthroughwhich the exhaust passes in its radial pas sages, said vanes havng --an increasinglyg eater pitch in thes uccessive chambers throughwhich the exhaustpasses. 2

1 11; exhaust'silencer'jyadap-ted for. use

:with gas engines andls'o; forth comprising a r shell. provided withpartition plates pro vided'with central openings 'to form a setendingwithin each ofsaid;chambersland" ries of chambers insa'idshelh adrummounted within said shell'and having webs 6X? 12b leaving free thecircumferential portions of I said chambers to direct the exhaustmaterial outward through each'chamber around the web then radiallyinward} on the other side of-sa-id web and through the-central openingto the succeeding chamber and a seand comprislng spiralturbine blades anr es of spiral curved vanes'on each of said webs forming narrow spiralthrough-- which the exhaust passesjinits channels.

radial passages, said vanes havinga'n in creasinglygreater pitch-inithesuccessive chambers through which the exhaust fpasses.

12. An.- exhaust silencer adapted 1' use with gas engines and so forthcomprising ashell provided with partition plates provided with centralopenings to form a series of chambers in said shell, a drum mountedwithin said shell and having webs extending within each of said chambersand leaving free portions of said chambers to direct the exhaustvmaterialv outward through each chamber around the web, and thenradiallyinward on the other side of said web and through the central opening tothe succeeding chamber and alseries of spiral 'c'iirved vanes on'eachof-s aid' webs forming narrow spiral channels through which theexhaustpasses in its-radial passages.

13. An exhaust silenceradapted for use with gas engines andso forthcomprising a.

shell provided with partition plates pro- I vided with central openingsto form a series of chambers in said shell, Webs extending WlthlIl eachof said chambers and leaving free portions of said chambers to directthe exhaust material outward through each ,form a series of chambers insaid shell, webs extending into said chambers to direct chamber aroundthe web and then radiallyinward on the otherside of said web and throughthe central opening to the succeeding chamber and a series ofspiralfcurvedl, vanes forming narrow. sp ral cha-nnels; through whichthe exhaustpasses in its.

radial passages;

14. An exhaust sllencer adapted for use with gas engines and so forthcomprising shell provided with partition plates to the 'exhaust materialoutward through said chambers around the webs and then radially inwardthrough central openings provided in said partition plates into thesucceeding chambers and en wed vanes in said chambersforming narrowchannels through which the exhaust is guided in passing successivelyriesof said chambers, the outer portions of said chambers being leftfree to allow c1reu-- lation of the exhaust around the same.

'16. An exhaustsilencer'adapted for use with gas "engines and'so forthcomprising a shell provided with partitions to form a longitudinalseries of communicating chambers in said shell, webs and curved vanesforming narrow gas channels extending into said chambers and leavingIree the circumferential portions thereof in which to allow circulationof exhaustmaterial, to thereby direct the exhaust material outwardthrough each of said chambers around the web and then inward throughcentral openings provided in said partitions-into thesucceedingchambers, and effect" its: passage through said channels in passingsuccessively through a series of said chambers 17. Anex-haust silenceradapted for use with gas engines and so forth comprising a shellprovided with pa'rtitions tofforni a se ries of communicating chambersin said shell webs andvanes forming n'arrow gas channels extending intosaid'chambers and leaving free the circumferential portions thereof inwhich to allow circulation of. exhaust material, to thereby direct theexhaust material outward through each of said chambers. and then inwardthrough open- 7 ings provided in said partitions into the-succeedingchambers and eflect its passage through said channels in passingsuccessivelythrough-a series of said chambers.

18.- An xhaust silencer-adapted for with gas engines and so forthcomprising a shell provided with partitions to form a se ries ofcommunicating chambers n sa1d'. shell, webs and vanes forming channelsex-J tending into'said chambers andleaving free the circumferentialportions thereof in which to allow circulation of exhaust ma- -terialaround the inside of said shell, to direct the exhaust material througheach of said" chambers around said-webs and parti tions 1n passingsuccessively through a series of'said chambers, I k

This' spec ficationsigned-and witnessed this 21st day of Novembeiy'A.,D., 1910."

' HIRAM'PEROYMAXIM.

' Signedin the presence of- R. R. SEYMOUR,

S. QsBoRN, w

